Chapter two: Discoveries and Explanations:

Someone was talking. No wait, someone was yelling, which explained the growing intensity of her headache. Why did she have a headache? She didn't remember drinking that much. In fact she had been adamant about keeping out of any contests involving drinking. She had learned her lesson at the Harvest Festival, thank you very much.

So that begged the question again. Why did she have a headache? And why was she on the ground?

That's right. She'd been in Bilbo's study about to pick something up… What was it?

She let out a small groan when her head only throbbed more for the effort of thinking.

"Percia? Percia are you all right?"

Why did people try to shake you when you were down? Really, it couldn't be healthy.

"Percia!" This time she could make out Bilbo's worried tone.

"Mwaa…?"

"Calm down Bilbo," Gandalf scolded his friend gently. "Let me try something."

Percia felt fingers over her eyes, which she had yet to open. A pulse of power flowed over her, soothing the pain behind her eyes. Suddenly she didn't quite feel like a dying animal anymore. Always a plus in her book. Slowly the wizard removed his hand and Percia tried to open her eyes. It took a few tries but she managed.

"Ugh." Yes, that was as eloquent as she could be at the moment.

A few moments later she felt able to attempt to sit up. Of course the room just had to spin to be contrary, but whatever.

"Nice and slow my dear," Gandalf advised as he helped her, Bilbo fluttering just behind him wringing his hands.

"I feel like a giant fell on me," she muttered, still working on getting her bearings. "What happened?"

"We were hoping you could tell us," Gandalf stated wryly. "However, from the looks of it, you were thrown into the wall."

Percia squinted her eyes, trying to remember again what had occurred. Looking around she could see she was in Bilbo's study. Why was she in his study? Oh right, she'd been inspecting the damages the boys had wrought. Then she was leaving… no wait, she saw something. That's right she saw a ring and went to pick it up.

"The ring," she slurred slightly, still woozy from the knock to her head. "I went to pick up the ring…"

Both Gandalf and Bilbo looked confused so she continued.

"It was in a box that had been knocked over." At least her words were sounding clearer. "I thought it was strange, 'cause Bilbo doesn't wear jewelry and I was curious so I went to pick it up to show him and bug him for information." This caused the wizard to look amused while Bilbo rolled his eyes. Both knew how inquisitive she could get. "When I tried to grab it I felt pain. Then I saw… flame and shadow…"

Gandalf looked especially worried after this, while Bilbo continued to be confused. But the more she said the more she remembered.

"Armies. Armies of orcs," she spat, horror growing as she remembered how vivid the image was in her mind. "And an… eye."

"Are you sure," Gandalf demanded, eyes wide with fear.

"Yes." Percia held his gaze to show just how 'sure' she was.

"Where is the ring now…"

"It's here," Bilbo announced, plucking the small band up easily and holding it for the wizard to see. "But I don't see why it affected Percia, I've never had any trouble with it."

Gandalf stared at the ring as if it would bite him. "Where did you get that?"

Bilbo fidgeted for a moment as if he didn't want to tell them, but then he shook his head. "In the goblin caves. When I was lost from the others. I ran into the strangest creature…" He proceeded to tell them the tale of his game against the strange creature Gollum and his eventual escape. He also went on to explain the ring was how he was able to free the Company from the Mirkwood prisons and sneak away from Smaug.

By the time he had finished Gandalf was pacing back and forth, growing more and more agitated. Turning to the Hobbit he demanded, "Why did you never tell me this before?"

"To be honest I'm not quite sure. On the journey I thought about it but… something held me back," he admitted sheepishly. "And then once we got back to the Shire, I put it away in the box and quite forgot about it. With Percia always running off and me joining her I was afraid I'd lose it." He paused suddenly a strange look over-coming his face. "That's odd. Why would I worry about losing a silly ring?"

"Because it is not just a silly ring," the wizard informed him seriously. "If it is what I think it is, this ring is one of the foulest creations ever made."

Bilbo and Percia shared a disturbed look before turning back to Gandalf for further explanation.

The old wizard sighed heavily, knowing he needed to divulge information to them. "When I left the Company upon your entering Mirkwood I traveled north. There in the mountains lies a series of tombs. Nine to be exact. These are the tombs of the nine kings of men, who fell to the rings of power, corrupted by Sauron." Bilbo gasped in fright, dropping the ring immediately as he started to puzzle through just where the other was going with this story. Percia just looked on blankly having no clue what he was speaking of. "Those tombs were empty. My next step was to travel to Dol Guldur, the ancient fortress to the south of Mirkwood. It was there the truth was discovered. Sauron still lives. He is but a wrath, and we of the White Council were able to force him from that stronghold back to the lands of Mordor."

"Question," Percia interrupted without a trace of remorse. "Sauron? Nine kings? What are you talking about?"

Gandalf just blinked at her for a very long moment before he huffed in realization. "Of course. I forget that you were not originally from our world so would not know our history. Though I had thought Bilbo was remedying that?"

"You try keeping her in one spot long enough," the Hobbit huffed irritably.

Finally a smile slipped on the old face. "Fair enough. Perhaps we should take this to the kitchen and have that tea. I could use I bit of fortification to go over this tale."

"Yes, yes," Bilbo agreed immediately. "That does sound like a good plan."

"In the meantime, perhaps you should place the ring back in its box," the wizard cautioned. Bilbo glanced at him unsure if he should touch the ring if it was what Gandalf was alluding to. "You should be fine. It has not harmed you as of yet. Just do not keep it on you for now."

As Bilbo did as asked, carefully placing the now secured box on the mantel, Gandalf helped Percia into the kitchen. Once the girl was settled and Bilbo had finished pouring the tea Gandalf began the tale.

"At one time there were rings of power created for the three main races. Nine went to the Kings of Men. Seven to the Dwarf Lords. And Three to the Elves. However, Sauron, an evil force in our land created another in secret. In the fires of Mount Doom he forged the Ring of Power. This ring allowed him to control the others, to a point," he explained solemnly. "The Kings of Men fell easily to his machinations. The Dwarf Lords were stouter of heart, but many of their rings were lost over time or they too grew corrupt. The line of Durin did not; however, Sauron put a curse on that line, which I believe helped lead to the gold sickness that runs in their family." Here Bilbo looked away, pain flashing across his face, no doubt from memories of the Mountain and Thorin's own stint in the throes of gold sickness. "The Elves did not fall, but instead hid their rings of power. Finally at the end of the Second Age it had all come to head. The last alliance of Men and Elves stood against the armies of Mordor to end the reign of Sauron once and for all. Many lives were lost, but the heir of Gondor, Isildur, finally defeated Sauron by cutting off his hand, which held the Ring of Power. With Sauron gone, the forces of evil were vanquished and the orcs fled." Gandalf sighed heavily, like a weight held him down. "Elrond was there that day, and he took Isildur into the mountain to destroy the ring. However, Isildur fell to the persuasive power of the ring and refused. Years later the ring was lost when Isildur was killed. Many believed it was lost in such a way to never be found. And as long as it survived, Sauron would survive, though far weaker. Many of us even believed he would never be able to gain power without it. Sadly we were proved wrong, as he was the driving force behind Azog and his attack on the Mountain. If this is the One Ring, Sauron would have the ability to come back, more powerful than ever."

"Well how do we find out if this is the actual ring," Percia asked warily.

"I think the visions you experienced give us a very good idea," Gandalf stated dryly. "However, to be sure I will go speak to the head of my order, Saruman. He will be able to give us guidance. In the meantime I suggest you two head to Rivendell. I will meet you there and we can determine our next step. But it is important to keep the ring hidden. For now no one should know where it is, but we cannot underestimate the enemy. We did that once before and barely persevered. In Rivendell, Lord Elrond will be able to keep the ring hidden until a better plan can be devised."

Both Bilbo and Percia shared another look. This was very serious if it had Gandalf this worked up. Poor Bilbo looked so guilty for having found and kept the ring a secret for so long. Not that Percia blamed him. There was no way he could have known.

"Well, looks like we're going on another adventure," Percia stated wryly. "Though perhaps this time, you'll be better prepared."

"Oh hush you," Bilbo chided clucking his tongue at the girl. Though he did look a bit relieved at her easy attitude.

"Indeed," Gandalf added, a twinkle of humor in his eyes. "You two should prepare for the journey, but do not tarry longer than a week. I, however, shall depart tomorrow. Remember, this must remain between us only."